Trump-Aligned Former NFL Reporter Tafoya Opens Up Big Lead in Minn. Primary

Another 27.3 percent of voters said they remain undecided, while 6.3 percent said they would prefer another Republican candidate not currently listed in the survey.

The poll marks one of the clearest signs yet that Tafoya’s high-profile media career and statewide name recognition are giving her a major early advantage as Republicans look to compete for a Senate seat Democrats have controlled for years.

Tafoya spent decades as one of the most recognizable faces in sports broadcasting, most notably serving as a longtime sideline reporter for NBC’s “Sunday Night Football.”

In recent years, however, she has become increasingly active in conservative political commentary and public policy debates, frequently appearing on cable news programs and political panels.